Jimmy and Jay's Training Journal

No sooner have I posted the above update does Jimmy not come down to get his millet as close as he has been before. I didn't have the millet in my hand this time but he was really close and sat there once he finished for quite a long time, very content.

Hi I've enjoyed reading about your bonding progress-well done! I've adopted two 'older' budgies and had them about four weeks approx now. There's been some trust gained as they will kind of briefly step onto my open palm to eat millet. The boy is especially good this way, the female less so. I've read articles on here about bonding and training. They're very good and helpful, but many talk about training stuff etc OUTSIDE of the cage but my little friends won't come out, despite me opening the door, and leaving it open, when I'm there. They've not had the best start in life, with their previous owners (and that's putting it mildly!) plus they each have very different personalities so I'm not sure what to do to get them to both feel safe with me, trust me and want come out. As said, they will eat millet from my hands, but won't come out for it even if I leave it on the table in front of them. I realise it's still early days, but I would welcome any tips and words of encouragement from anyone on here!

Featheredflyers said:

Hi I've enjoyed reading about your bonding progress-well done! I've adopted two 'older' budgies and had them about four weeks approx now. There's been some trust gained as they will kind of briefly step onto my open palm to eat millet. The boy is especially good this way, the female less so. I've read articles on here about bonding and training. They're very good and helpful, but many talk about training stuff etc OUTSIDE of the cage but my little friends won't come out, despite me opening the door, and leaving it open, when I'm there. They've not had the best start in life, with their previous owners (and that's putting it mildly!) plus they each have very different personalities so I'm not sure what to do to get them to both feel safe with me, trust me and want come out. As said, they will eat millet from my hands, but won't come out for it even if I leave it on the table in front of them. I realise it's still early days, but I would welcome any tips and words of encouragement from anyone on here!

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Thanks. Jimmy is quite the opposite of your two- he doesn't seem to like interaction in his cage and whenever I am trying to just do some bits in his cage, he's looking for a way to escape.
I let him out as much as possible but with work, he can only come out so much.

Do you know if your two were ever allowed out before?
I know that they consider their cages their safe place so as you say they didn't have a good start before coming to you, maybe they just feel really safe and happiest in their cages.
Can you maybe try and get them to come to the door of their cage to feed? That way they still feel safe and aren't outside their comfort zone but it's pushing the boundary a little more. Then, maybe if you can get them used to that, maybe try it so if they will perch at the door of the cage, they need to take one step outside to get to the millet.

I'm sure others on here will have some great advice for you, but if it doesn't get much attention here, maybe try starting a new topic where others will see it.

I see that you worked out how to make a new post.
Everyone on here is great with advice whenever I've had a query. I'm sure they'll be the same for you too.

Jimmy's new favourite place is to perch on top of my laptop, which is good. He's getting closer to me and he's observing being close while I just continue to go about with what I'm doing. He's sitting with me as I type this. I'm sure you will find that yours will also gain trust in you over time.

Edit: Interestingly, Jimmy came and sat on the laptop and I put the millet sprat down for him to eat. He's been a little back and forth today, coming over and then flying away, so I decided I'd put the millet down for him to get without me holding it in case he was having an insecure day.
Well, for a good few minutes now, Jimmy has remained just perching on my laptop and watching me type. I've been talking to him and he's just content to sit there and watch, so he seems to be coming over to visit me and not just for food now which is a lovely step forward. He still won't step on my finger but I'm so pleased with his progress. Tomorrow marks his second full week with us.

Jimmy has spent more time over on the laptop trying to work out what I'm actually doing over here.

Simmi sometimes goes on the swing inside the cage, but Jenni doesn't seem interested other than to maybe peck a bit at the sides.
I got them a toy the other day off Amazon, so far they've not shown much interest in it. I was hoping it would give them something to chew and peck at and shred....but maybe I should've just stuck with my idea of a wee bell on a wee chain..?....!